Definition of spill

The word "spill" has an interesting origin that dates back to the Old English language. Its ancestral form, meaning "to let fall" or "release," was "spillan." This word descended from a Germanic root word, "spill-," which is believed to have referred to the act of pouring or letting something flow. The Old English word "spillan" eventually evolved into the Middle English word "spilleren," which also had the connotation of "to waste" or "spend." During the Middle English period, the verb "spill" also began to be used in a more figurative sense to refer to the act of letting something slip or escape, such as information or secrets. By the late medieval period, the verb had further evolved to encompass the meaning of "overflow or discharge," ultimately leading to its modern usage as a term to describe the accidental release of liquids or other substances from their intended containers or locations. Interestingly, the phrase "spill the beans" is also of English origin, dating back to the late 19th century. It is believed to refer to the times when beans were used as a type of counter in games, and revealing a secret was compared to accidentally "spilling" the beans and disrupting the game. In summary, the word "spill" has a rich linguistic history, evolving from its Old English roots to reflect a range of meanings associated with release, waste, and accidental discharge.